As per usual, the Galaxy are primed for a trip to the postseason. I think it’s fair to say they haven’t been at their spectacular best this year too often, yet once again they are strongly in the hunt for an MLS Cup triumph. Bruce Arena’s men have a tendency to draw too many games, but Bruce Arena’s men are still unbeaten at the StubHub centre in 2017. The Galaxy offense went through a quiet time mid season, but has roared back into life of late scoring 11 goals in their last 4 games. This in impressive considering key man Gyasi Zardes is ruled out for the rest of the season and midfielder Steven Gerrard has been missing in recent weeks. The Galaxy still have a lot of other great weapons like Robbie Keane & Giovani Dos Santos though.

Seattle Sounders preview

The Sounders are usually a perennial playoff team but for the first time in many years their participation in the postseason is in doubt. They have six matches left and will probably need to win most of them in order to finish inside the top six. The biggest problem that Seattle had was their form under long standing coach Sigi Schmid. Since Brian Schmetzer took over they've actually only lost one match. The form of players like Jordan Morris, plus new signing Nicolas Lodeiro has been excellent. If they can get themselves into the playoffs, nobody will want to face them. Key man Clint Dempsey continues to be out with an irregular heartbeat whilst Brad Evans is rated doubtful.

Conclusion & betting analysis

This is a heavyweight battle between two Western Conference rivals. Seattle might not be the force they normally are this year but they head into the contest in confident mood. The Galaxy are really tough to beat at the Stubhub and the Sounders would love to be the first team to walk away with victory here in 2017. I think it’ll be a good game of football. Galaxy have been involved in some real high scorers of late and the Sounders have looked much better offensively under Schmetzer. This fixture has a history of goals and it’s been a long time since an MLS encounter between the two ended 0-0. LA Galaxy are odds-on favourites on a -0.5 handicap and I feel this is slightly short in a match of this magnitude. My preferred pick is over 2.75 goals. I think both sides will attack strongly and there should be enough opportunities for three goals to be scored.